Watch Virtual Panel Discussion From Academy Dialogues: Owning Your Brand

Part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Aperture 2025 initiative, “Academy Dialogues: It Starts With Us” is a new series of virtual panels, with conversations about race, ethnicity, gender, history, opportunity and the art of filmmaking.

The latest episode in the series, “Academy Dialogues: Owning Your Brand,” features a conversation with Academy governor and producer DeVon Franklin (“Breakthrough”), Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of the Black List, producer Debra Martin Chase (“Harriet”), and M88 president, managing partner and co-founder Phillip Sun discussing their professional journeys and finding success outside of the traditional Hollywood system.  They address the importance of having a vision, investing in yourself, and building a business brand by taking control to tell new and authentic stories.

For more information on this Academy Dialogue and others in the series, please click here

WHO:
DeVon Franklin, Academy governor and producer 
Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of the Black List
Debra Martin Chase, producer
Phillip Sun, president, managing partner and co-founder of M88

HIGHLIGHTS:
“Have the will to make change, wherever you may be, and wherever you may sit.”  – DeVon Franklin
“There is not one seat at the table anymore. Build your own table. They will come.” – Phillip Sun